SHILLONG: Nethurbirt Khongsdoh has publicly rejected the explanation offered by village authorities regarding the mysterious death of his 27-year-old son, Trophimos Khongmawloh, alleging instead that the youth was brutally assaulted and killed while in the custody of village leaders and members of the Village Defence Party (VDP) in Pyrter village, East Khasi Hills.
Addressing the media, the grieving father said he could no longer accept the claim made by the village authorities that his son died after consuming bricks. As per the FIR, he alleged that the Rangbah Shnong of Pyrter, Fullmoon Khongdon, along with members of the VDP, were responsible for mercilessly beating his son inside the village community hall (Iing Dorbar Shnong) on the night of April 7, 2026.
Recounting the sequence of events, Khongsdoh stated that Trophimos, who was living independently, had been detained by VDP members that night and taken to the community hall. The following morning, on April 8 at around 8:00 AM, he was informed that his son had died.
According to the father, VDP members later brought the body back to the family residence in a disturbing condition. He claimed the body was wrapped with a black raincoat, covered with a cement sack, and had a slipper placed on top of it. Upon removing the coverings, he allegedly discovered that his son’s face was covered in blood.
The father further alleged that during the funeral on April 9, the family was denied the opportunity to perform traditional final bathing rituals as the Rangbah Shnong reportedly prohibited the opening of the sealed coffin.
Khongsdoh explained that the delay in approaching the police was because the family only recently gained access to a video allegedly recorded on the night of the detention. According to him, the footage clearly shows Trophimos being physically assaulted inside the community hall, directly contradicting the official explanation that he died after consuming bricks.
An elder from Pyrter village who accompanied the family during the press interaction said the incident occurred on a day when the village had imposed restrictions on alcohol consumption following the death of another resident. He stated that Trophimos had allegedly consumed alcohol that evening, leading VDP members to detain him and take him to the community hall before he was later rushed to a local Sub-Centre, where he was declared dead.
The elder admitted that villagers initially accepted the explanation provided by the Rangbah Shnong. However, after viewing the leaked video footage, many began questioning the official version of events.
Seeking justice for his son, Nethurbirt Khongsdoh filed a formal FIR at Sadar Police Station on May 5, naming Rangbah Shnong Fullmoon Khongdon and the involved VDP members in connection with the alleged custodial assault and death.
Meanwhile, attempts were made to contact the Rangbah Shnong of Pyrter Fullmoon Khongdon but to no avail.
